Essential Tips for New Users of GeM Portal

 Government e Marketplace (GeM) is India’s leading e-marketplace for government buyers including Central & State Ministries/ Departments, Central & State Public Sector Enterprises, Autonomous Institutions & Local Government bodies including Panchayats & Cooperatives.

By eliminating the scope for intermediaries, GeM has enabled pan-Indian sellers and service providers including Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Women-led enterprises, Startups, Self-Help Groups, etc., to participate in government tenders from anywhere in India.

GeM has a thriving ecosystem of over 1.6 Lakh government buyers and more than 23 Lakh sellers and service providers. Since its inception, the platform facilitated 2.66 Crore+ orders worth over ₹12.2 Lakh Crore.

This will guide you through some of the best beginner-friendly tips and tricks for both buyers and sellers to navigate GeM portal seamlessly and utilise it to its full potential.

Here are some must-follow tips for new users on GeM portal:

Stay Updated with absolutely Free Interactive & Multilingual Courses

As a new GeM user, laying a solid foundation is the key to unlocking the platform’s full potential. To make your journey seamless, GeM offers free online interactive courses in 12 languages, ensuring accessibility for both buyers and sellers.

These courses provide a detailed overview of the platform, catering to users at all levels — whether you’re just starting out or seeking advanced-level courses. Specialised modules on the GeM bidding process are available for both buyers and sellers, tailored to your familiarity and pace with the portal.

Just head over to the Interactive & Multilingual Courses’ landing page and sign up as a Buyer or Seller / Service Provider.

24/7 Assistance with GeMAI

GeM has leveraged the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) by recently launching its 24*7 chatbot assistant, GeMAI. This AI-powered chatbot crawls the GeM bidding portal, to provide intelligent, accurate and intuitive guidance anytime, anywhere. It facilitates users to type in their queries, providing assistive responses with an instant response rate.

Through its newly integrated voice command feature, GeMAI is further enhancing the user experience by making interactions faster, hands-free, inclusive and user-friendly. Users can simply talk to the GeMAI chatbot and receive a credible answer.

“New on GeM” Tab

Explore the latest features and updates using the “New on GeM” tab. By categorising the updates into sections like the latest features, products and services month-wise, this feature provides easy access to recent additions and improvements, allowing users to stay informed of the latest changes on the portal, further simplifying their GeM experience.

You can also follow GeM’s social media channels for GeM portal updates, announcements and tips on elevating your overall procurement experience.

Tips for Newly Registered GeM Sellers and Service Providers

As a newly registered seller or service provider on GeM, navigating the platform effectively is key to amplifying your opportunities. To help you get started and thrive in the public procurement domain, here are essential tips to start your journey.

Where to Find GeM Bid List
As a newly registered GeM seller, staying informed about ongoing tenders is essential to making the most of your opportunities on the platform. GeM features a dedicated “Bids” tab on its homepage, allowing you to review active tenders and identify procurement opportunities that align with your offerings.

To access the bid list, log in to your GeM account, navigate to the “Bids” section located in the top-right corner of the header, and select “List of Bids.” This section provides a comprehensive overview of current tenders, including details such as bid categories, buyer names, submission deadlines, etc. You can also use advanced filters and keywords to refine your search and find bids that best match your organisation’s capabilities.

You can also leverage the GeM bid advance search feature to further filter the bids. In the “Advance Search” section, you will find a list of active processes. As a seller, you can filter this list based on various parameters like Bid/RA number, category and date to keep yourself updated on the latest information about the GeM bidding process.

By regularly exploring the bid list, you can ensure timely participation and maximise your chances of securing bids successfully on GeM.

Through SMS and emails, GeM also automatically notifies all sellers and service providers listed under a specific product or a service category within which a new bid has been floated.

Keep Updating Your Offerings

An updated catalogue plays a crucial role in boosting your visibility as a seller or service provider on GeM. By ensuring that your product / service listings and pricing are always up-to-date, you significantly improve your chances of being discovered by potential government buyers. This also ensures that your offerings remain relevant and accurate.

To maintain your active status on the platform, GeM has set a 90-day update policy. Accounts that have not been updated within this period are marked as inactive. This policy ensures that the portal remains dynamic and that buyers always have access to current and reliable seller information.

Tips for Newly Registered Buyers

For newly registered buyers, the GeM platform offers a streamlined way to access reliable vendors. To make the most of your experience and ensure quality procurement, here are some practical tips to guide you in making informed decisions.

Check Seller Ratings and Monitor the List of Suspended Sellers

Reviewing product specifications and seller ratings on GeM is a vital step in identifying verified sellers and service providers. By examining these details, buyers can make informed decisions, ensuring access to high-quality products and services that meet their procurement needs.

GeM’s policy prioritises providing buyers with a trustworthy marketplace by connecting them exclusively with verified sellers and service providers. This approach ensures high procurement standards, which are essential for promoting efficiency in the procedure and maximising public savings.

To further support buyers, GeM offers a “List of Suspended Sellers,” a valuable resource that helps users avoid engaging with non-compliant or inactive sellers.This feature enhances transparency, promotes accountability and ensures a secure and efficient procurement process.

Capacity-building Workshops for GeM Buyers

To empower buyers, GeM offers dedicated training programs and workshops tailored to enhance your understanding of the platform and the bidding process. These sessions are designed to equip buyers with the knowledge and skills needed for efficient procurement.

Buyers can request special GeM training workshops through the portal https://gem.gov.in/training

For assistance with GeM bid details or platform functionality, you can also rely on GeM’s responsive support team, ensuring you have the help you need when you need it.

Bonus Tips: Some Dos and Don’ts for Using GeM

Do Stay Active on Social Media: Follow GeM’s social media handles to stay updated on policy changes, training calendar and all major GeM portal updates.

Don’t Overlook the Fine Print: Always review the platform’s terms and conditions, including payment policies, delivery timelines and return procedures, to avoid unnecessary complications.

Do Leverage GeM’s Resources: Make the most of GeM’s interactive courses, FAQs and workshops to deepen your understanding of the GeM bidding process and platform functionalities.

Don’t Delay Updates: Ensure your catalogue, contact details and business information are always current. This not only improves credibility but also enhances visibility on the platform.

Conclusion

GeM has played a significant role in amplifying digital procurement in India. Through its transparent, efficient and inclusive digital framework, GeM has expanded procurement opportunities nationwide, connecting government buyers with pan-Indian sellers and service providers.

By following the essential tips outlined for new GeM users, you can ensure a smoother, more efficient procurement experience on GeM. From exploring training resources and staying updated with bids to checking seller ratings and utilising advanced search features, these strategies will help you optimise your navigation of the platform.

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